Honeywell SAE International Student Automotive Design Challenge Winners Selected

Students Show Their Passion for Engineering through Global Competition

TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Middle School students in France, Germany and Mexico proved they have what it takes to build innovative cars – even if their Engineering degrees are still a few years away! The winning students' projects were chosen by a vote of Honeywell employees around the world base on criteria for building a fully functioning motorized-driven toy car.  The winning teams were identified after ten finalists were chosen to compete in the international competition.  The competition is the culmination of a co-sponsored program between Honeywell and SAE International, in which students employ a multi-disciplinary curriculum integrating science, math, technology, social studies and language arts into the development of their final project.

The three winning schools were the College Elsa Triolet of Thaon-Les-Vosges, France (First Place); Sachsenwaldschule Gymnasium Reinbek from Glinde, Germany (Second Place); and Colegio Americano de Mexicali from Mexicali, Mexico (Third Place).  All three winning schools will receive an "SADC Winner" banner for the class and crystal awards and polo shirts for the winning teams.

Honeywell began their partnership SAE International's A World In Motion® (AWIM) program in 2008 in an effort to address the decline of student interest in science, technology, engineering and math.  This year, the program reached more than 400 students in nine countries: China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Switzerland, the U.S.—and for the first time, Romania. All of the schools are in communities where Honeywell operates automotive-related facilities and its employees can actively serve as a resource for the student teams.

 "We have been thrilled by the passion these students have exhibited during every phase of this challenge and we congratulate each of the schools on a job well-done," said Joe Toubes, Vice President of Communication for Honeywell Transportation Systems. "We hope that the program instilled a life-long interest in engineering and that students will continue to be excited about science and math."

The curriculum used in the SADC program was developed by the SAE Foundation and won the National Science Foundation's prestigious 2008 Public Service Award.  The program integrates science, math, technology, social studies and language arts by assigning students to a mock corporation to research, design, test and build electric gear-driven toy cars. Students work in design teams of four to build a vehicle and write proposals, draw sketches, model designs and develop plans that meet the specific set of design requirements identified in market research.  During the program Honeywell's volunteers assists the teacher and serve as content expert sharing their work experience at the classroom. Students share their results with their international peers via an online forum, designed to directly connect students at a global level.

"SAE International congratulates the winners of the Honeywell SAE Student Automotive Design Challenge," Matthew Miller, Director, SAE Foundation and Pre-Professional Programs, said. "The students and the schools should be proud of the work that they have produced. The AWIM curriculum teaches math, science and engineering principles in a creative way, and these students exemplify that inspired style of learning. SAE is proud to partner with Honeywell on this important international program."

To view the final projects of the Honeywell/SAE Student Automotive Design Challenge, visit http://www.honeywell-sae.com/competition-entries/

About Honeywell

Honeywell's Transportation Systems business is a worldwide leader in the development of turbocharger technology for passenger cars and commercial vehicles.  It also manufactures and markets leading consumer automotive brands including FRAM® oil, air, transmission and fuel filters; Prestone® antifreeze/coolant and car care products; Autolite® spark plugs; Holts® car care products and Bendix® automotive braking technology.

Honeywell International (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.

About SAE International

SAE International is a global association of more than 128,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial vehicle industries. SAE International's core competencies are life-long learning and voluntary standards development. SAE International's charitable arm is the SAE Foundation, which supports many programs, including A World in Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series.

SOURCE SAE International